Estimating Distribution and Abundance of Wintering Sea Ducks in Nantucket Sound

Project Number: 57

Year Funded: 2006

Lead Institution(s): Massachusetts Audubon

Project Lead: Taber Allison

Email:

Collaborator(s): Simon Perkins (MA), Giancarlo Sadoti (MA)

Location: Massachucets

Focal Species: All Sea Ducks, Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola), Barrow’s Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica), Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula), Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus), Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis), Common Eider (Somateria mollissima), King Eider (Somateria spectabilis), Spectacled Eider (Somateria fischeri), Steller’s Eider (Polysticta stelleri), Common Merganser (Mergus merganser), Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus), Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator), Black Scoter (Melanitta americana), Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata), White-winged Scoter (Melanitta delgandi)

Project Description: Project Description: Mass Audubon proposed to develop accurate estimates of the relative abundance of wintering sea ducks in Nantucket Sound, Massachusetts. Reliable estimates of variation in relative abundance and distribution of sea ducks on their winter range are needed to assess the impacts of existing and proposed development on these species (e.g., NAWMP, 1998).